NFL: Early Sunday Games
Nine of Sunday’s NFL Week 2 features some interesting games scheduled for an early kickoff.
Among the highlight games Houston-Tennessee, New England-NY Jets, New Orleans-Philadelphia, and Arizona-Jacksonville.
Here’s is a quick look at each game with some key betting tidbits to consider, plus a free pick from the StatFox Platinum Sheet.
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Be sure to check the TEAM STATISTICS, BETTING TRENDS, and LIVE ODDS pages for the latest information on all the games.
HOUSTON at TENNESSEE (-6.5)
Tennessee plays its first home game and first divisional game against Houston, a team it has had its way with in recent years. The Titans have taken five of the L6 games between these rivals, both SU & ATS. Much of the reason for Tennessee’s regular season success in ‘08 was its ability to win at home (7-1 SU & 6-1-1 ATS) and in divisional play (4-2 SU & ATS). HC Jeff Fisher’s team has also been a great play for bettors in the month of September, having now covered nine straight games.
Houston meanwhile, is off to a rough start after being upset by the Jets at home, and plays its first road game here. The Texans are 1-4 SU & ATS in their L5 road openers. However, they are on a 6-1 ATS run vs. AFC South rivals.
NEW ENGLAND (-3.5) at NY JETS
The Patriots-Jets rivalry has been one of the fiercest in the NFL in recent years. The Patriots have won 10 straight games ATS (9-1 SU) at the Meadowlands heading into Sunday.
New Jets’ head man Rex Ryan, already 1-0, is looking to restore some home field advantage as they begin their home slate for the third straight year against their arch rivals. New York was a horrendous 1-7-1 ATS in home games vs. divisional foes under Mangini and needs this game to avoid falling two games back in the standings already.
New England has become well known for its divisional success, 12-1 SU & ATS in its L13 away from home vs. its AFC East foes.
NEW ORLEANS (-1) at PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia takes on a second straight NFC South foe when it hosts New Orleans. Expectations are high in Philly this year and the Eagles are off to a fast start, having routed Carolina in Week 1.
Minus QB Donovan McNabb, they’ll look to build on that win at home, where they were 6-2 SU & ATS in ’08. They also boast that same straight up mark (7-1 ATS) in their L8 h2h meetings with the Saints. However, HC Andy Reid has not gotten his team’s best effort in home openers, just 4-5 SU & 4-4-1 ATS since ’01.
New Orleans was expected to win and did at home vs. the Lions last Sunday, but this week’s test will be much tougher. The Saints have won just two of L9 true road games, allowing 26.3 PPG in that span. They are also on a 4-8 ATS slide as dogs.
ARIZONA at JACKSONVILLE (-4.5)
Recent history has shown that Super Bowl runner-ups have struggled in their follow up seasons, particularly where bettors are concerned. Arizona became the latest casualty of that trend by dropping its opener against San Francisco, SU & ATS.
In week 2, the Cardinals head to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars, also 0-1 after losing at Indy. Arizona has fared well against the AFC in the Ken Whisenhunt era, going 7-2 ATS. However, Jacksonville has also played well in inter-conference games, going 19-8 ATS all-time as a host. Unfamiliarity will play a role in this game, as these teams have met just twice previously, with the Jaguars winning both SU & ATS. In the only game in Jacksonville in 2000, the Jaguars won 44-10, outgaining Arizona 469-189.
In this week’s StatFox Platinum Sheet, StatFox Steve says…The Arizona-Jacksonville line seems like another major overreaction. By now, we all know how much Super Bowl runner-ups struggle for their betting backers. Arizona proved it once again last week in losing as a favorite vs. San Francisco. However, the Cardinals were an overstated favorite in that game, not an underdog, like they are here. Furthermore, they are an underdog to a team that I believe could be headed for 4-5 wins this season.
Jacksonville is going to struggle this season, particularly on offense, where they are very short on playmakers. The Jaguars produced a very balanced but very limited 228 yards of offense last week at Indy. The Cards only allowed 203 yards in their loss. When you cross reference those figures, it’s difficult to envision Jacksonville getting any more than about 250 yards of offense. In which case, they are headed for at most 14-17 points.
It’s crazy to lay 4-1/2 if that happens. Take the under and or the underdog if so.
Play: ARIZONA +4.5
